Crowds add to winning contest

PUNTERS and fashionistas made their run to Cannon Park while the going was good, as Saturday’s big race day drew the crowds before wet weather moved in.

Cairns Jockey Club president Tom Hedley was grateful the rain stayed away for most of the day, allowing a healthy turnout of racegoers to settle in to the atmosphere of the Cairns Cup Carnival.

“It was a good day. The last two races were run in pretty soft conditions but otherwise everyone had been there for three to four hours and had settled down so the rain gods looked after us.

“Earlier in the day, it could have been a bit of a disaster,” he said. “People enjoyed themselves and racegoers had a good time.”

Fielding a few runners in the cup, Mr Hedley said his horses came away with a race win and a few places.

“It was reasonably successful for us. It’s better to win it in your frontyard – the atmosphere is much better,” he said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce business development manager Alex Martins was trackside at the weekend and said despite the rain the successful event was a shot in the arm for the local economy.

“There is a lot of people here. I have spoken to people from Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay and it’s good to see people come from outside the region. When it comes to retail you do see people are buying shirts, ties and suits which is good for the retail sector,” he said.

Cairns-based apprentice jockey Amanda Thomson rode in four races for trainer Fred Wieland. She didn’t manage a place but said it was always a special feeling racing at home.

“The visibility with the kickback is probably the worst thing but other than that I love it and always enjoy it,” she said.

“The atmosphere is great and especially when you are on the horse you can take a good look around everywhere and see everyone and everything that’s going on.”

Mackay trainer Trinity Bannon was too good in the feature race of the Cairns Cup program and won the Cairns Newmarket Handicap with eight-year-old gelding Scherzoso.

Grey Missile placed second and Ozark rounded out the top three finishers.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIT OF A DISASTER

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE Macikova (right) was second runner-up.

PICTURE PERFECT: Fashions on the Field judges Renae Porta and Millicent van der Velde take a selfie together.

EXCELLENT ODDS: Taneale Maykin picks a winner on the opening day of the Cairns Cup racing carnival.

EXCITING DISPLAY: Fiona Cochrane and Amanda Gower watch the horses in the mounting yard from under an umbrella.